Lid for a container

ABSTRACT

A closure for a lid that has at least one opening may include an activator pivotally coupled to the lid, a cover pivotally coupled to the lid, and a connecting member pivotally coupled to the activator and the cover. The activator, the cover and the connecting member may form an over center latching mechanism. In addition, the activator may be pivotally connected to the lid about a first axis of rotation, the cover may be pivotally connected to the lid about a second axis of rotation, the connecting member may pivotally connected to the activator about a third axis of rotation, and the connecting member may be pivotally connected to the cover about a fourth axis of rotation. The distance between the first and second axes of rotation may be constant, and the distance between the third and fourth axes of rotation may change as the cover is moved.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/213,360, filed Jul. 18, 2016, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,028,603, issuedJul. 24, 2018. The Ser. No. 15/213,360 application is a continuation ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/598,075, filed Jan. 15, 2015, nowU.S. Pat. No. 9,392,893, issued Jul. 19, 2016. The Ser. No. 14/598,075application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. ProvisionalPatent App. Ser. No. 61/929,081, filed Jan. 19, 2014; U.S. ProvisionalPatent App. Ser. No. 61/944,536, filed Feb. 25, 2014; U.S. ProvisionalPatent App. Ser. No. 62/004,673, filed May 29, 2014; U.S. Design patentapplication. Ser. No. 29/479,736, filed Jan. 19, 2014, now U.S. Designpatent No. D748,430, issued Feb. 2, 2016; and U.S. Design patentapplication. Ser. No. 29/479,737, filed Jan. 19, 2014, now U.S. Designpatent No. D745,827, issued Dec. 22, 2015. Each of the foregoingapplications is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

This application is also related to U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/598,087, filed Jan. 15, 2015, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,004,348, issuedJun. 26, 2018; and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/111,789, filedJul. 14, 2016; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/598,090, filed Jan.15, 2015. Each of the foregoing applications is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to lids and, in particular, tolids for containers.

Description of Related Art

Conventional containers may hold a variety of different types of liquidsand fluids. For example, known containers can hold various drinks andbeverages such as water, flavored waters, juices, energy drinks,protein-enhanced drinks, shakes, foodstuffs, and liquid mealreplacements.

These types of known containers may be used in a wide variety ofenvironments such as at a home, office, gym, or health club, and whiletraveling. Known beverage containers may also be used during or afteractivities such as exercising or riding in an automobile, bus, train, orairplane. Traditional beverage containers, such as a coffee mug, aregenerally unsuitable for drinking beverages while exercising ortraveling because they can easily spill their contents, are often heavy,not readily portable, and are prone to breaking if dropped. Traditionalbeverage containers are also generally unsuitable for use outside of alimited area because they may be relatively inconvenient to carry ortransport, and may allow the contents to spill.

Known beverage containers may include lids that are suitable for usewhile exercising or traveling. Consumers often fill such containersbefore exercising or traveling so the contents can be consumed before,during, or after exercising or traveling. These types of known beveragecontainers may include a container body for holding the beverage and alid to prevent the contents from spilling.

Some known beverage containers may include a small cover over thedrinking aperture to prevent the contents from spilling. The small coveris typically manually opened by the user's hand when the user desires totake a drink. For example, the user may slide the cover into an openposition. Many of these known containers include a watertight orairtight seal between the cover and the drinking aperture to prevent thebeverage from spilling. These known containers often require substantialeffort to open and close the cover because the watertight or airtightseal must be formed or broken each time the cover is opened or closed.Some of these containers, especially when the container is full, mayundesirably allow some of the beverage to spill when the cover isopened. In addition, because the cover may be suddenly and abruptlyopened, this may cause some of the contents to spill. Further, theseknown beverage containers may be difficult for some consumers to usebecause a relatively large amount of force may be required to open orclose the cover. Thus, some consumers may have substantial difficultyopening the cover. Additionally, the cover of some of these knowncontainers may be difficult to securely close and that unfortunately mayallow the contents to spill or leak.

Known beverage containers may also use a cover that rotates between anopen and closed position. Disadvantageously, the cover may be difficultto open, close and/or rotate into the desired positions. Conventionalbeverage containers may also include a button or lever that must bedepressed to open the cover and allow the beverage to be consumed. Somebeverage containers undesirably require the button to be continuouslydepressed in order to drink from the container, which is often awkwardand uncomfortable for the user.

Conventional beverage containers may also include rotating spouts andremovable lids, but these types of devices are often difficult to openor close, especially for users with limited dexterity. In particular, itmay be challenging or almost impossible for some users to rotate thespout from a closed position to an open position because of thedifficultly in grasping the spout. It may also be problematic for manyusers to apply the force required to move the spout into the openposition. Further, a user may not want to touch the spout with his orher fingers if their hands are dirty or unwashed. It may also bedifficult for some users to remove the lid to allow access to thecontents of the container. Further, it may be tedious to constantlyremove the lid before drinking and this may prevent liquids from beingconsumed while exercising, traveling, during sporting events, or when aquick or rapid drink is desired.

In addition, known beverage containers may be difficult or inconvenientto use because the opening may not be the desired size. For example, theopening of some conventional containers may not allow sufficient fluidflow in some circumstances. On the other hand, the openings of someconventional containers may allow too much fluid flow and that may makeit awkward to drink from the container.

Further, conventional beverage containers may have limited usefulnessbecause they may only be used for specific purposes. Some conventionalbeverage containers may also be difficult to clean or reuse because ofthe shape, number of parts, and complex configuration of one or morecomponents.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A need therefore exists for a system or device which eliminates theabove-described disadvantages and problems.

One aspect is a container that may hold or contain liquids, beverages,drinks, and the like. The container may be a shaker cup and the contentscan be stirred, mixed, and/or blended as desired. This may allow proteindrinks, shakes, smoothies, sauces, etc. to be created and/or storedwithin the container. The container could also be a water bottle inwhich water and other types of fluids can be transported and/or consumedsuch as flavored waters, juices, vitamin enhanced beverages, energydrinks, thirst-quenchers and the like. In addition, the container couldhold mixtures and solutions, which could include vitamins, supplements,protein powders, etc. Further, the container could hold various powders,solids and/or other types of materials including foodstuffs such asfruits, vegetables, soups, dressings, and the like. If desired, thecontainer may be insulated to help keep the contents at a desiredtemperature.

Another aspect is a lid that is preferably easily attached and removedfrom the container. In particular, the lid may be selectively attachedto the container by a threaded or screw-type connection, which may allowthe lid to be quickly secured to the container in a straightforwardmanner. The lid may also be attached to the container with a fluid orwatertight seal, which may prevent the contents from leaking orspilling. The lid may cover a relatively large opening to allow thecontainer to be easily filled, cleaned, and washed. While the lid ispreferably selectively attached to the container, the lid could bepermanently attached to the container.

Still another aspect is a lid that may include one or more openings anda closure that may allow or prevent fluid flow through one or more ofthe openings. For example, the closure can include an outwardlyextending lever or handle and, when a user applies a force to the lever,the closure may be opened or closed with relatively little effort. Inparticular, the lever may provide a mechanical advantage so that arelatively small amount of force may be required to open or close theclosure. Advantageously, a force on one side of the lever may open theclosure and a force on the other side of the lever may close theclosure. Thus, the closure may be simple and straightforward to use andoperate.

Yet another aspect is a lid that may contain one or more spouts and oneor more openings. If desired, one or more openings may be disposedwithin the spout. For example, the lid may include a spout and fluid maybe easily poured or dispensed through an opening in the spout. The lidmay also include an opening which may allow a user to drink from thecontainer. If desired, a straw or other type of conduit may be used tofacilitate drinking from the container. For example, a straw may beconnected or inserted into the opening and a user may drink through thestraw. These different types of openings may be disposed adjacent orproximate to each other, and these different types of openings may bedisposed within a spout.

Advantageously, the two different types of openings may include oneopening that allows the contents to be easily poured or dispensed fromthe container and another opening that allows a user to drink from thecontainer. The dual openings may provide increased uses and/orflexibility because the different openings may have different sizes,shapes, configurations and/or arrangements, which may allow the openingsto be used for different purposes. While the lid may be described belowas including two openings, it will be appreciated after reviewing thisdisclosure that the lid may include any suitable number of openingsincluding one or more. It will also be appreciated after reviewing thisdisclosure that the openings could have various shapes, sizes,configurations and arrangements depending, for example, upon theintended use of the container. Further, it will be appreciated that theopenings could be used for similar or different purposes, and themultiple openings may increase the potential uses and functionality ofthe container.

Still yet another aspect is a lid for a container that includes a firstopening and a second opening, and the openings may have different sizesand/or purposes. For example, one opening may be sized and configured toallow a user to pour from the container and the other opening may besized and configured to allow a user to drink from the container. Ingreater detail, the lid may include one opening with a first size andanother opening with a second size. The different sizes of the openingsmay allow fluids to flow through the openings at different rates. Forinstance, one opening may allow a relatively large volume of fluid topass through the opening and the other opening may allow a smallervolume of fluid to pass through the opening. For example, one openingmay be two, three, four, five, six or more times the size of the otheropening. The different sizes may allow the openings to be used fordifferent purposes. For instance, the larger opening may be used when alarger volume or flow rate of fluid is desired and the smaller openingmay be used when a smaller volume or flow rate of fluid is desired. Thismay allow, for example, fluid to be poured through the larger openingand fluid to be sipped through the smaller opening.

In one exemplary embodiment, the lid may include one opening that islarger than another opening and the openings may have differentconfigurations. For example, the larger opening may form a portion of aspout and may allow a large rate of fluid flow. The smaller opening mayallow a user to sip from the opening and may allow a small rate of fluidflow. If desired, a straw may be connected to or inserted into thesmaller opening. The openings may have numerous shapes such as circular,oval, round, oblong, curved, semicircular, arc, rectangular, square,polygonal, and the like. In addition, the openings could have differentshapes such as the larger opening could have a generally circularconfiguration and the smaller opening have an oblong, arc, curved orcrescent shaped configuration.

A further aspect is a lid for a container that may include at least twoopenings and the openings may be disposed proximate or adjacent to eachother. Thus, one opening may be disposed next to another opening. Ifdesired, one opening may be at least partially disposed within anotheropening. For example, one opening may be at least partially surrounded,bounded, encircled or enclosed by another opening. The adjacent openingsmay be separated from another opening by a partition, wall or member.For instance, one opening may include an outer wall and a portion of theouter wall may form at least a portion of an adjacent opening.Therefore, the openings may share a common wall. While the openings maybe disposed proximate or adjacent to each other, the openings may alsobe spaced apart. Advantageously, the different openings may providedifferent fluid pathways. For example, one opening may create a fluidpathway that allows a user to pour fluid from the container and theother opening may create a fluid pathway that allows a user to sip fromthe container, such as through a straw. Significantly, the differentpathways may allow different fluid flow rates. In particular, the oneflow rate may be much larger than a second flow rate.

Another further aspect is a lid for a container that may include a spoutwith a first opening or aperture and a second opening or aperture. Forexample, the spout may have a generally circular, oval or elongatedouter configuration and two openings may be disposed in the spout. Thefirst opening may have a generally circular configuration and a secondopening may have a generally curved or arc-shaped configuration. Thefirst opening may be at least adjacent to the second opening, and theopenings may be separated by a partition or wall, which may define aportion of the first and/or second opening. The first and secondopenings may provide separate pathways into the container. For instance,the first opening may provide a first pathway into the container and thesecond opening may provide a second pathway into the container. Inparticular, the first opening may provide a direct opening to thecontainer and the second opening may include or be selectively connectedto a straw and the straw may provide a second pathway into thecontainer. The different pathways may be in fluid communication withdifferent portions of the container. In one example, the first pathwaymay be in fluid communication with a first portion of the container andthe second pathway may be in fluid communication with a second portionof the container. It will be appreciated that the pathways could be influid communication with any desired portions of the container. It willalso be appreciated that different pathways are not required and theopenings may be in fluid communication with any desired portions of thecontainer.

Still another further aspect is a lid that may include multiple openingsand a straw may be selectively or permanently coupled to one or more ofthe openings. For example, a straw may be coupled to an opening, such asa smaller opening, and a user may drink through the straw.Significantly, this may allow a user to drink from the container usingthe straw and the other opening may allow the contents to be easilypoured or dispensed from the container. As a result, a user may consumesome or all of the contents from one or both of the openings. Inaddition, the openings may allow a user to sip or chug from thecontainer depending upon the opening used. Further, the straw may allowa user to drink when the container is in a generally upright position.Alternatively, the container may be tilted or inverted to pour fluid outof the container.

Another aspect is a lid that may include a closure that providescontrolled access to the contents of the container. In particular, theclosure may provide controlled access to one or more openings so thatthe contents of the container are only accessed when desired. Forinstance, a closure may selectively cover or close one or more openingsto control access to the contents of the container. Advantageously, theclosure may cover multiple openings at one time, which may allow thecontainer to be quickly and easily sealed. The closure may create awatertight seal to prevent the contents from leaking or spilling, whichmay facilitate transporting liquids and beverages, and may allow thecontainer to be used before, during, or after activities such asexercising and/or traveling.

Still another aspect is a lid that may include a closure that is movablebetween open and closed positions. The closure, for example, may bepivotally attached to the lid and the closure may pivot between open andclosed positions. In particular, one portion of the closure may bepivotally attached to a first portion of the lid and another portion ofthe closure may be pivotally attached to a second portion of the lid. Ingreater detail, the first portion of the closure may include anactivator or handle that facilitates opening and closing the closure,and this first portion of the closure may be pivotally connected to afirst portion of the lid. A second portion of the closure may include acover or cap that is sized and configured to prevent fluid flow throughthe one or more openings when the closure is closed. The second portionof the closure may be pivotally connected to a second portion of thelid. The first and second portions of the closure may be pivotallyattached to the lid in fixed positions, which may help create aconsistent, reliable seal. In addition, when the closure is in theclosed position, a force or other intentional act may be required toopen the closure, which may help prevent unintended opening of theclosure.

Yet another aspect is a lid that may include a connecting member. Theconnecting member may connect the first and second portions of theclosure and the connecting member may bend, fold or elongate as theclosure is opened and closed. The connecting member may allow theclosure to be easily and smoothly opened and/or closed. Significantly,the closure may be opened or closed with relatively little force orpressure, which may allow the container to be used by a wide range ofusers and increase the number of people that can use the container. Forexample, the closure may allow a user to hold the container with onehand and use his or her thumb or finger on that hand to open or closethe closure. It will be appreciated that the closure can be opened andclosed by two hands or more than one user if desired.

Still yet another aspect is a lid for a container that may include aclosure with an activator that is rotatably attached to the lid along afirst axis of rotation. The activator may be movable between first andsecond positions, and the activator may include an outwardly extendingportion, such as a lever or handle, that facilitates movement of theactivator between the first and second positions. In the closedposition, the activator may be extend generally upwardly and be at leastsubstantially disposed within a circumference or outer perimeter of thelid. When the activator is in the open position, at least a portion ofthe activator may extend beyond the circumference or outer perimeter ofthe lid and another portion of the activator (such as a body) may extendupwardly and at an angle relative to the upper surface of the lid. Whilethe activator may be pivotally disposed in a fixed position proximate anouter edge or perimeter of the lid, the activator could also be spacedinwardly and the activator does not have to be pivotally attached to thelid in a fixed position.

A further aspect is a lid for a container that may include a closurewith an activator, connecting member and cover or cap. For example, theactivator may be pivotally connected to a first portion of the lid alonga first axis of rotation and the cover may be pivotally connected to asecond portion of the lid along a second axis of rotation. In addition,one end of the connecting member may be attached to the activator andthe other end of the connecting member may be attached to the cover. Inparticular, one end of the connecting member may be pivotally attachedto the activator and the other end of the connecting member may bepivotally attached to the cover. Thus, the closure may include fourpivot points and the pivot points may be aligned along four differentaxes of rotation, and the axes of rotation may be disposed in agenerally parallel configuration. Additionally, the distance between thefour pivot points or axes of rotation may be fixed or varied. Forexample, the distance between the pivot points or axes of rotation ofthe connection of the activator to the lid and the cover to the lid maybe fixed. The distance between the connection of the activator to thelid and connection of the activator to the connecting member may also befixed. Further, the distance between the connection of the cover to thelid and the connection of the cover to the connecting member may befixed. The distance between the connection of the connecting member tothe activator and the connection of the connecting member to the covermay vary.

In greater detail, the connecting member may be connected to theactivator so that when the activator moves, the connecting member alsomoves and the movement of the connecting member may cause the cover tomove. For instance, as the activator is moved from a closed to an openposition, a force may be applied to the connecting member and theconnecting member may open the cover. When the activator is moved fromthe open to the closed position, the activator may apply a force on theconnecting member and the connecting member may close the cover. Themovement of the connecting member may be at least partially controlledby a guide. The connecting member may be at least partially disposedbetween one or more flanges or protrusions and these structures may helpguide or control the movement of the connecting member. It will beunderstood, after reviewing this disclosure, that one or moreprotrusions, projections, pins, openings, channels, grooves and the likemay also be used to guide or control the movement of the activator,cover and/or connecting member.

Another further aspect is a lid for a container that may include aconnecting member that may be changeable in length. For instance, theconnecting member may be expandable in length and the connecting membermay be biased into one or more configurations. In particular, theconnecting member may include a biasing or expandable portion thatallows the length of the connecting member to change and the biasingportion may bias the connecting member into one or more desiredconfigurations. For example, the connecting member may be constructedfrom a resilient, bendable and/or flexible material, such as plastic,and it may include a biasing or expandable portion with a generallyV-shaped configuration. When a force is applied in one direction to theconnecting member, such as along a length of the connecting member, theexpandable portion may allow the overall length of the connecting memberto be decreased. When the force is removed or a force in an opposingdirection is applied, the expandable portion may allow the overalllength of the connecting portion to be increased. The different lengthsof the connecting member may account for the different distances betweenthe connection of the connecting member to the activator and the cover.In addition, the connecting member may have sufficient stiffness andrigidity that when an opening force is applied to the activator and theactivator is moved from a closed position to an open position, theconnecting member may cause the cover to rotate and expose one or moreopenings. The connecting member may also provide sufficient force on thecover when the activator is being closed to cover the openings.Advantageously, because the activator may act as a lever, a relativelysmall force may be applied to the activator but a larger, moreconsiderable force may be applied to the cover by the connecting member.This may allow the closure to be relatively easily opened and/or closed.Additionally, because the connecting member may help control the amountof force applied to the closure, this may facilitate smooth, relativelyeffortless opening and closing of the closure.

Still another further aspect is a lid for a closure that may includemultiple pivot points. The pivot points may be formed by protrusions,projections, pins or other types of outwardly extending portions thatare disposed in openings, apertures, recesses or other types ofreceiving structures. For example, the lid may include a first set ofprotrusions that allow the activator to be pivotally connected to thelid and a second set of protrusions that allow the cover to be pivotallyconnected to the lid. The first and second sets of protrusions may bedisposed in a parallel configuration and spaced apart by a constantdistance. One end of the connecting member may be connected to theactivator by a third set of protrusions and the other end of theconnecting member may be connected to the cover by a fourth set ofprotrusions.

Yet another further aspect is a lid for a closure that may include fouraxes of rotation. For example, the activator may be pivotally connectedto the lid at a first axis of rotation and the cover may be pivotallyconnected to the lid at a second axis of rotation. The connecting membermay be pivotally connected to the activator at a third axis of rotationand the connecting member may be pivotally connected to the cover at afourth axis of rotation. Thus, the cover may include four pivot pointsor four axes of rotation. While the distance between the first andsecond axes of rotations may be fixed, the distance between the thirdand fourth axes of rotation may vary. For example, the distance betweenthe third and fourth axes of rotation may increase or decrease as theclosure is opened and closed. In addition, a first distance may separatethe connection of the activator to the lid and the activator to theconnecting member, and a second distance may separate the connection ofthe cover to the lid and the cover to the connecting member. Because thefirst and second distances may be different and/or the activator andcover may be connected to different portions of the lid, the connectionof the connecting member to the activator and the connection of theconnecting member to the cover may move along different paths. Forexample, the connection of the connecting member to the activator maymove along a first arc or curve relative to the lid and the connectionof the connecting member to the cover may move along a second arc orcurve relative to the lid.

Another aspect is a lid for a container that may be easily opened andclosed. For example, in order to access the contents of the container, auser may depress or apply a force to an activator and that may cause theclosure to move. In particular, the force applied to the activator maycause the activator to rotate around an axis of rotation and apply aforce to the connecting member. The connecting member may then apply aforce to the cover and that may cause the cover to rotate about an axisof rotation and open. A force may also be applied to the activator toclose the cover. For instance, a user may apply a force on theactivator, which applies a force to the connecting member, and thisapplies a force on the cover. Specifically, the force applied to theactivator may rotate the activator and apply a corresponding force onthe connecting member. The connecting member then applies a force on theclosure that causes the closure to rotate into a closed position. Thisstructure may create a mechanical advantage that facilitates openingand/or closing of the closure.

Still another aspect is a lid for a container that may include a handle.For instance, at least a portion of the activator may form at least aportion of the handle. In one exemplary embodiment, the handle mayinclude one or more surfaces that are contoured to facilitate holdingthe container and/or use of the activator. For example, the activatormay include curved surfaces, such as a depression or engaging portion,which may be sized and configured to allow a user to apply a force tothe activator and/or carry the container. The handle could also have aloop-shaped configuration and a portion of the activator could form thehandle. It will be appreciated, in view of this disclosure, that theactivator and handle may have various suitable shapes, sizes,configurations and arrangements depending, for example, upon theintended use of the container.

Yet another aspect is a lid for a container that may include an overcenter latching mechanism. The over center latching mechanism may, forexample, include an activator, cover and connecting member. Theconnecting member, which may be a spring or have spring-like properties,may be pivotally connected to the activator and cover. When theactivator is moved from the closed to an open position, the connectingmember may resist movement until the distance between the connection ofthe connecting member to the activator and the connection of theconnecting member to the closure reaches its smallest distance (whichmay be referred to as its center point). Once the activator moves pastthe center point, then the activator may be more freely moved and theclosure may be easily opened. When the activator is moved from the opento a closed position, a force must be applied to the activator thatallows the center point to be reached. Because the activator may includea handle or lever, a significant amount of force may be applied toovercome a biasing force of the connecting member. As the activatorcontinues to move towards the closed position, the connecting member maymove past the center point and then the cover may close the one or moreopenings in the lid. Advantageously, in this position, the connectingmember may securely hold the closure in the closed position. Moreover,because the closure may exert significant force in the closed position,fluid may not leak out. Because a significant amount of force may berequired to compress the connecting member, the closure may be securelyheld in the closed position and the closure may snap or lock as theclosure is being moved into the closed position.

A further aspect is a lid for a container that may be constructed fromplastic, metal, a combination or plastic and metal, or other materialswith suitable characteristics and properties. The lid may be attached tocontainers made from plastic, glass, metal and the like. Advantageously,the lid may be constructed from relatively few parts that may be quicklyand efficiently manufactured. For example, in an exemplary embodiment,the lid may include a closure with an activator, connecting member andcover. In another exemplary embodiment, the lid may include a body, aspout and multiple openings in the spout. One of ordinary skill in theart, after reviewing this disclosure, will appreciate that the lid caninclude any suitable number of parts and components. One of ordinaryskill in the art, after reviewing this disclosure, will also appreciatethat the lid could have other appropriate shapes, sizes, configurationsand arrangements depending, for example, upon the intended use of thecontainer. Further, one of ordinary skill in the art, after reviewingthis disclosure, will appreciate that the lid may include any suitablenumber of openings and the openings could have different shapes, sizes,configurations and arrangements depending, for example, upon theintended use of the container.

Another aspect is a closure for a lid may include a lid, at least oneopening in the lid, and a closure sized and configured to control accessto the at least one opening. The closure may include an activatorpivotally coupled to the lid; a cover pivotally coupled to the lid, thecover movable between an open position and a closed position; and aconnecting member coupled to the activator and the cover, the actuatormay be movable between a first position that closes the cover and asecond position that opens the cover; the cover in the closed positionmay be sized and configured to prevent fluid flow through the one ormore openings; and the cover in the open position may be sized andconfigured to allow fluid flow through the one or more openings. Ifdesired, the activator, the cover and the connecting member may comprisean over center latch mechanism.

In greater detail, the activator may be pivotally connected to the lidabout a first axis of rotation, the cover may be pivotally connected tothe lid about a second axis of rotation, the connecting member may bepivotally connected to the activator about a third axis of rotation, andthe connecting member may be pivotally connected to the cover about afourth axis of rotation. The first axis of rotation may be disposed in afirst fixed position relative to the lid and the second axis of rotationmay be disposed in a second fixed position relative to the lid. Thedistance between the third axis of rotation and the fourth axis ofrotation may change as the cover is moved between the open and closedpositions. And when a force applied to the activator is sufficient tocompress the connecting member, the cover can be moved from the closedposition to the open position. In addition, the activator may include anoutwardly extending handle. Additionally, the connecting member mayprovide a spring force and movement of the cover between the open andclosed positions may require sufficient force applied to the activatorto overcome the spring force. Further, the over center latch mechanismmay lock the cover in the closed position.

Still another aspect if the closure may include a biasing mechanism thatallows a length of the connecting member to change as the activatormoves between the first and second positions. If desired, the biasingmechanism may bias the cover in the closed position when the activatoris in the first position. A force applied to the activator may overcomea biasing force of the biasing mechanism to allow the activator to bemoved from the first position to the second position and the cover to bemoved from the closed position to the open position. Additionally, theclosure may be an over center latching mechanism, an amount of forceapplied to the activator may be sufficient to allow the activator torotate past a center point of the over center latching mechanism toallow the activator to move from the first position to the secondposition and to dispose the cover in the open position, and an amount offorce applied to the activator may be sufficient to allow the activatorto rotate past the center point of the over center latching mechanism toallow the activator to move from the second position to the firstposition and the biasing mechanism of the connecting member applies to aforce to the cover and the activator to secure the cover in the closedposition.

Yet another aspect is a closure for a lid may include a lid, one or moreopenings in the lid, and a closure coupled to the lid, the closure maybe movable between a first position and a second position. The closuremay include an activator; a cover movable between an open position and aclosed position; and a connecting member connected to the activator andthe cover, the activator, the cover and the connecting member forming anover center latching mechanism. The cover in the closed position mayprevent fluid flow through at least one opening of the one or moreopenings in the lid. The cover in the open position may allow fluid flowthrough at least one opening of the one or more openings in the lid.

In greater detail, the one or more openings in the lid may consist of asingle opening in the lid, the cover may prevent fluid flow through thesingle opening in the lid in the closed position, and the clover mayallow fluid flow through the single opening in the lid in the openposition. In addition, the one or more openings in the lid consists oftwo openings in the lid, the cover may prevent fluid flow through atleast one of the two openings in the lid in the closed position, and theclover may allow fluid flow through the two openings in the lid in theopen position. Additionally, the one or more openings in the lid mayconsist of two openings in the lid, and the cover may close at least oneof the openings in the closed position.

If desired, the activator may be pivotally connected to the lid about afirst axis of rotation, the cover may be pivotally connected to the lidabout a second axis of rotation, the connecting member may be pivotallyconnected to the activator about a third axis of rotation, and theconnecting member may be pivotally connected to the cover about a fourthaxis of rotation. The first axis of rotation may be disposed in a firstfixed position relative to the lid and the second axis of rotation isdisposed in a second fixed position relative to the lid. The distancebetween the third axis of rotation and the fourth axis of rotation maychange as the cover is moved between the open and closed positions.Additionally, a biasing mechanism may allow a length of the connectingmember to change as the activator moves between the first and secondpositions. The biasing mechanism may also bias the cover in the closedposition when the activator is in the first position. Further, an amountof force applied to the activator may be sufficient to allow theactivator to rotate past a center point of the over center latchingmechanism to allow the activator to move from the first position to thesecond position and to dispose the cover in the open position; and anamount of force applied to the activator may be sufficient to allow theactivator to rotate past the center point of the over center latchingmechanism to allow the activator to move from the second position to thefirst position and to secure the cover in the closed position.

Still yet another aspect is an over center latching mechanism that maybe sized and configured to control access to a fluid disposed within acontainer. The over center latching mechanism may include a lid, atleast one opening in the lid, and a closure coupled to the lid. Theclosure may include an activator pivotally connected to the lid about afirst axis of rotation; a cover pivotally connected to the lid about asecond axis of rotation, the cover movable between an open position anda closed position; and a connecting member including a first endpivotally connected to the activator about a third axis of rotation anda second end pivotally connected to the cover about a fourth axis ofrotation, the connecting member providing a force that must be overcometo move the cover between the open and closed positions. The first axisof rotation may be disposed in a first fixed position relative to thelid and the second axis of rotation is disposed in a second fixedposition relative to the lid; and a distance between the third axis ofrotation and the fourth axis of rotation may change as the cover ismoved between the open and closed positions.

These and other aspects, features, and advantages of the presentinvention will become more fully apparent from the following briefdescription of the drawings, the drawings, the detailed description ofpreferred embodiments, and appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The appended drawings contain figures of preferred embodiments tofurther illustrate and clarify the above and other aspects, advantages,and features of the present invention. It will be appreciated that thesedrawings depict only preferred embodiments of the invention and are notintended to limits its scope. Additionally, it will be appreciated thatwhile the drawings may illustrate preferred sizes, scales, relationshipsand configurations of the invention, the drawings are not intended tolimit the scope of the claimed invention. The invention will bedescribed and explained with additional specificity and detail throughthe use of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a front, upper perspective view of an exemplary container andlid, illustrating the lid in a closed position;

FIG. 2 is an exploded upper perspective view of the container and lidshown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged front, upper perspective view of a portion of thelid shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged rear, upper perspective view of a portion the lidshown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is another enlarged rear, upper perspective view of a portion thelid shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged lower perspective view of a portion of the lidshown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged, exploded, lower perspective view of a portion ofthe lid shown in FIG. 1, illustrating an exemplary straw;

FIG. 8 is a lower perspective view of the lid and straw shown in FIG. 7,illustrating the straw connected to the lid;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged cross-sectional side view of a portion of the lidshown along lines 9-9 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional side view of the portion of thelid shown in FIG. 3 along lines 9-9, illustrating a straw connected tothe lid;

FIG. 11 is a front, upper perspective view of another exemplarycontainer and lid;

FIG. 12 is an exploded, front, upper perspective view and the containerand lid shown in FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a front, upper perspective view of the lid shown in FIG. 11;

FIG. 14 is a rear, upper perspective view of the lid shown in FIG. 11;

FIG. 15 is another rear, upper perspective view of the lid shown in FIG.11;

FIG. 16 is a lower perspective view of the lid shown in FIG. 11;

FIG. 17 is an exploded, lower perspective view of the lid shown in FIG.11, illustrating an exemplary straw;

FIG. 18 is a lower perspective view of the lid and straw shown in FIG.17, illustrating the straw attached to the lid;

FIG. 19 is a front, upper perspective view of still another exemplarycontainer and lid, illustrating the lid in a closed position;

FIG. 20 is another front, upper perspective view of the container andlid shown in FIG. 19, illustrating the lid in an open position;

FIG. 21 is a rear, upper perspective view of the lid and container shownin FIG. 19, illustrating the lid in an open position;

FIG. 22 is an exploded front, upper perspective view of the containerand lid shown in FIG. 19;

FIG. 23 is another exploded front, upper perspective view of thecontainer and lid shown in FIG. 19;

FIG. 24A is an enlarged, upper perspective view of a portion of the lidshown in FIG. 21, illustrating an exemplary activator;

FIG. 24B is a lower perspective view of the activator shown in FIG. 24A;

FIG. 25A is an enlarged, upper perspective view of a portion of the lidshown in FIG. 21, illustrating an exemplary connecting member;

FIG. 25B is a lower perspective view of the connecting member shown inFIG. 25A;

FIG. 26A is an enlarged, upper front perspective view of a portion ofthe lid shown in FIG. 21, illustrating an exemplary cover;

FIG. 26B is a lower rear perspective view of the cover shown in FIG.26A;

FIG. 26C is an upper rear perspective view of the cover shown in FIG.26A;

FIG. 27A is an enlarged, upper perspective view of a portion of the lidshown in FIG. 21, illustrating an exemplary gasket; and

FIG. 27B is a lower perspective view of the gasket shown in FIG. 27A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is generally directed towards a lid for acontainer. The principles of the present invention, however, are notlimited to lids for containers. It will be understood that, in light ofthe present disclosure, the lids and containers disclosed herein mayhave a variety of shapes, sizes, configurations, and arrangements. Itwill also be understood that lids and containers may include anysuitable number and combination of features, components, aspects, andthe like. In addition, while the lids and containers shown in theaccompanying figures are illustrated as having particular styles andconfigurations, it will be appreciated the lids and containers may haveany suitable style or configuration. Further, the lids and containersdisclosed herein may be successfully used in connection with other typesof objects and devices.

Additionally, to assist in the description of various exemplaryembodiments of the lids and containers, words such as top, bottom,front, rear, sides, right, and left are used to describe theaccompanying figures which may be, but are not necessarily, drawn toscale. It will further be appreciated the lids and containers may bedisposed in a variety of desired positions or orientations, and used innumerous locations, environments, and arrangements.

The accompanying figures show various exemplary lids and containers, andthe lids and containers may be used independently and/or in combination.Thus, wording such as the lid system or the lid and container system maybe used to refer to a lid, container, or a lid and a container. Inaddition, while the lid system may be described as including variousfeatures and aspects, the lid system may include any desired number andcombination of features and/or aspects.

Briefly, the lid system may include a lid that can be selectivelyattached to the container and the lid may include one or more openingsthat provide access to the contents of the container. For example, thelid may include one opening that allows the contents of the container tobe poured or rapidly dispensed and another opening that allows a user tosip fluids from the container through a straw. The two openings may bedisposed proximate or adjacent to each other, and the openings may beseparated by a common wall. The openings may provide different fluidpathways and/or different ways in which fluid can be dispensed. The lidmay also include a closure. For example, when the closure is in a closedposition, fluid may not be able to flow through the one or moreopenings. On the other hand, when the closure is in an open position,fluid may be able to flow though one or more openings. The closure maybe pivotally attached to the lid and the closure may include anactivator and/or a handle that allows the closure to be conveniently andeasily opened and closed. A detailed description of exemplaryembodiments of the lid and container system now follows.

Please note that multiple exemplary embodiments are disclosed anddescribed in detail below. The same reference numbers may be used inconnection with similar parts, components, and features in the differentembodiments for ease and convenience of the reader. It will beunderstood that different embodiments may have different parts,components, features and aspects; and the different parts, components,features and aspects may not be required. Further, it will be understoodthat different systems may include various combinations of these parts,components, features and aspects depending, for example, upon theintended use of the system.

As seen in FIG. 1, an exemplary embodiment of a lid system 10 mayinclude a container 12 and a lid 14. The container 12 may have differentshapes, sizes, configurations, and arrangements depending, for example,upon the intended use of the lid system 10. The container 12 may be madeof plastic, glass, metal, and the like.

The container 12 may be sized and configured to hold, retain and/orstore one or more liquids and/or solids. In particular, the container 12may be a vessel or bottle and the container may be used to store liquidssuch as water, flavored water, vitamin enhanced water, and the like. Thecontainer 12 may also store fluids and solutions such as juices, energydrinks, thirst-quenchers, and other types of beverages. The container 12can also be used to store solids such as powders, concentrates, mixes,and foodstuffs.

The container 12 may be of any suitable size. For example, the container12 can hold approximately 16, 18, 20, 22 or 24 ounces (or about 400,500, 600, 700, 800, 900 ml or a liter). One of ordinary skill in the artwill appreciate after reviewing this disclosure that the container 12could have any suitable size, including smaller and larger sizes. Inaddition, while the container 12 is shown in the accompanying figures ashaving a generally cylindrical or tube-shaped configuration, thecontainer may have other appropriate shapes and configurations. Further,the container 12 may be insulated to help keep the contents at a desiredtemperature.

The lid 14 may provide a cap or top to the container 12. For example,the lid 14 may cover a relatively large opening and the opening mayallow the container 12 to be easily filled, cleaned, and washed. The lid14 may be made of plastic, metal, a combination or plastic and metal, orother materials with suitable characteristics and properties.

The lid 14 is preferably removably connected to the container 12. Thelid 14 may be removably connected to the container by threading,snapping, twisting, sliding, or screwing the lid 14 to the container 12.For example, as illustrated in FIG. 2, an upper, outer portion of thecontainer 12 may include one or more threads 16 and an inner portion ofthe lid 14 may include one or more corresponding threads 18, such asillustrated in FIG. 6. The mating threads 16, 18 may allow the lid 14 tobe selectively attached to the container 12. In addition, the threadedconnection of the lid 14 to the container 12 may create a secure,airtight, watertight and/or leak-proof seal. A gasket 20 may be disposedbetween the lid 14 and the container 12, if desired, and the gasket mayhelp create the seal between the lid and the container. The threadedconnection may require multiple turns of the lid 14 relative to thecontainer 12 to securely connect the lid to the container, but it willbe appreciated that the lid may be connected to the container by one orfewer turns. The lid 14 may also be connected to the container 12 usingother suitable types of connections and structures depending, forexample, upon the intended use of the lid system 10.

The lid 14 may include a body 22 with an upper portion 24 and a sidewall26, which may extend downwardly from the body. The upper portion 24 ofthe lid 14 may be curved or domed and the threads 18 may be disposed onan inner surface of the sidewall 26. The lid 14 may also include a spout28, such as a tube or projection, and the spout may extend from theupper portion 24 of the lid. The spout 28 may allow fluids to bedischarged from the container 12. The spout 28 may include one or moreopenings or apertures and the plurality of openings may provide accessto the contents of the container 12. For example, as shown in FIGS.2-18, the spout 28 may include a first opening 30 and a second opening32 (an exemplary embodiment of a lid including a single opening is shownin FIGS. 19-27, which is discussed in detail below).

The first opening 30 may provide direct access to the contents of thecontainer 12 and the contents of the container may be poured through thefirst opening. As shown in FIGS. 2-18, the first opening 30 may belarger than the second opening 32 and that may allow a larger rate offluid flow through the first opening in comparison to the secondopening. For instance, the first opening 30 may be two, three, four,five, six or more times the size of the second opening 32. It will beappreciated that the first opening 30 may be smaller than the secondopening 32 and the openings may have various sizes depending, forexample, upon the intended use of the lid system 10.

The first opening 30 may have a generally cylindrical configuration andthe first opening may be at least partially defined by an outer wall 34of the spout 28 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. For example, the firstopening 30 may have a substantially circular cross-sectionalconfiguration. The second opening 32 may be disposed proximate and/oradjacent to the first opening 30 and a wall 36, such as a partition ordivider, may separate the openings. The wall 36, which may be referredto as a common wall, may form or define at least a portion of the firstopening 30 and the second opening 32. Thus, the first opening 30 may beat least partially formed or defined by the outer wall 34 of the spout28 and the common wall 36, and the second opening 32 may be at leastpartially formed or defined by the outer wall of the spout and thecommon wall. In greater detail, a first surface 38 of the common wall 36may form or define a portion of the first opening 30 and a secondsurface 40 of the common wall may form or define a portion of the secondopening 32. As illustrated in the accompanying figures, the secondopening 32 may have a generally arc, curved or rounded configuration.For instance, the second opening may have a substantially arc-shapedcross-sectional configuration. The second opening 32 may at leastpartially encircle, enclose or circumscribe a portion of the firstopening 30. It will be understood that the openings 30, 32 do not haveto be formed or defined by the spout 28, the openings 30, 32 could beindependent of the spout, and the spout is not required.

As best seen in FIGS. 9 and 10, the front portion of the spout 28 mayextend upwardly and outwardly. For example, the upper portion of theopenings 30, 32 may be curved. In particular, the front portion 42 ofthe first opening 30 may be curved upwardly relative to the rear portion44 of the first opening. Thus, the front portion 42 of the first opening30 may be disposed generally higher and/or in a different plane than therear portion of the first opening. In addition, the front portion 46 ofthe second opening 32 may be curved upwardly relative to the rearportion 48 of the second opening. Therefore, the upper end of the firstopening 32 may be generally disposed above and spaced further apart fromthe body 22 of the lid 14 than the upper end of the second opening 30.In addition, a center portion of the first opening 30 may be spacedcloser to the body 22 of the lid 14 than a center portion of the secondopening 32. Further, an upper portion 50 of the common wall 36separating the first opening 30 and the second opening 32 may be angledforwardly. A front portion 52 of the spout 28 and/or the second opening32 may also be angled forwardly. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the upperportion 50 of the common wall 36 and the front portion 52 of the spout28 and/or the second opening 32 may be disposed at an angle betweenabout 5° and about 20°, and between about 10° and about 15°. Forexample, the common wall 36 and a front portion of the second opening 32may be disposed at an angle between about 10° and about 20° relative toan axis disposed generally perpendicular to the first opening 30. Ifdesired, an indentation or recessed portion 54 may be formed in thefront portion 52 of the spout 28 and/or the second opening 32. Therecessed portion 54 may form a lower lip receiving portion that is sizedand configured to receive a lower lip of a person consuming a fluidflowing through the second opening of the lid.

The curved and angled surfaces of the spout 28, the first opening 30,and the second opening 32 may facilitate fluid flow through theopenings. For example, the upwardly curved surfaces may facilitatesipping or sucking fluid through the second opening 32. In addition, theforwardly curved front portion 52 may facilitate sipping or suckingfluid through the second opening 32. In this exemplary embodiment, theupper end of the second opening 32 may be disposed generally higher andin a different plane than the upper end of the first opening 30. Thecurved and/or upper surfaces may create an upper lip receiving portionthat is sized and configured to receive an upper lip of a user consumingfluid flowing through the second opening of the lid. Advantageously,this configuration may allow a user to easily and conveniently positiontheir mouth and lips to sip or suck fluid through the second opening 32.This configuration may also allow a user to easily and convenientlyposition their mouth and lips to allow fluid to be poured out of thefirst opening 30 and directly into the mouth of the user so that a largevolume of fluid may be quickly consumed.

While the first and second openings 30, 32 are shown and described asbeing part of the spout 28, it will be appreciated after reviewing thisdisclosure that the openings do not have to be part of the spout and aspout is not required. It will also be appreciated after reviewing thisdisclosure that the lid 14 may include any suitable number of openings(such as one, two, three, or more) and the openings could have differentshapes, sizes, configurations and arrangements depending, for example,upon the intended use of the lid system 10.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 7, 8 and 10, a conduit 56, such as a straw, may beused in connection with one or more of the openings. For example, thestraw 56 may be used in connection with the second opening 32 and thestraw may aid in drinking from the container 12. Thus, a user may sip ordrink by sucking on the second opening 32 and fluid may travel throughthe straw 56 and the second opening to the user.

The straw 56 may be selectively or permanently connected to the secondopening 32. For example, the lid 14 may include a straw coupling portion58, such as a straw receiving recess, and an end of the straw 56 may beinserted into the recess. The straw 56 may have a length that extendstowards a bottom of the container 12 and a lower end of the straw may bein fluid communication with fluid disposed towards the bottom of thecontainer. While the straw 56 and straw receiving recess 58 may haveoblong or elongated configuration as shown in the drawings, it will beappreciated that the straw and straw receiving recess could have othersuitable shapes, sizes, configurations and arrangements, such ascircular, oval, rectangular, square, polygonal, and the like.

The first and second openings 30, 32 may provide different fluidpathways. For example, the first opening 30 may provide a first pathwaywith direct access to the container 12 and fluid may flow through thefirst opening when the container is tilted or inverted. The large sizeof the first opening 30 may allow a large quantity of fluid to flowthrough the first opening, which may allow the contents of the container12 to be quickly consumed or poured. The first opening 30 may also allowthe container 12 to be quickly refilled, replenished or topped off. Thesecond opening 32 and the conduit or straw 56 may provide a secondpathway in which fluid may be sipped or sucked from the container 12. Inthis exemplary embodiment, fluid may be sipped or sucked through thesecond opening 32 and the straw 56 when the container 12 is in agenerally upright position. It will be understood that fluid may flowthrough the first opening 30 once the container 12 is tilted such thatfluid in the container reaches the front portion 42 of the first openingbecause the first opening may provide a fluid pathway to an upperportion of the container. It will also be understood that fluid may flowthrough the second opening 32 as long as the end of the straw 56 isdisposed within the fluid in the container 12 because the straw orconduit may provide a fluid pathway to a lower portion of the container.Thus, the positioning of the container 12 may determine whether fluid iscapable of flowing through the first and/or second openings 30, 32.

Advantageously, the multiple openings 30, 32 may provide increasedfunctionality and flexibility by allowing fluid to be poured, sipped orsucked from the container 12. In addition, the multiple openings 30, 32may allow fluid to be discharged or dispensed when the container 12 isdisposed in upright, tilted, and inverted positions. After reviewingthis disclosure, it will be appreciated that the straw 56 may beconnected to or used in connection with any suitable opening, and thestraw is not required. It will be further appreciated that the openings30, 32 may be in different locations, arrangements and placements, andthe openings may be spaced apart if desired.

The lid 14 may include a closure 60 that selectively closes or preventsfluid flow through the spout 28 and/or the one or more openings, such asthe openings 30 and 32. The closure 60 may be pivotally connected to thelid 14 and the closure may create a consistent, reliable seal. Inaddition, when the closure 60 is in the closed position, a force orother intentional act may be required to open the closure and that mayhelp prevent unintended opening of the closure. Further, when theclosure 60 is moved into the closed position, it may snap, click and/orlock, which may indicate that the closure is securely closed.

As shown in FIG. 2, the closure 60 may include a first portion 62, suchas an activator, and a second portion 64, such as a cover. The cover 64may create an airtight and/or watertight seal with the spout 28, thefirst opening 30 and/or the second opening 32, which may advantageouslyhelp create a leak-proof container.

The activator 62 may facilitate opening and/or closing the closure 60.The activator 62 may also facilitate carrying, holding, and/ortransporting the lid system 10. The activator 62 may include a body 66and one or more engaging portions, such as outwardly extending portions,protrusions, projections, and the like (exemplary protrusions 122, 124are discussed in more detail below) and the engaging portions may allowthe activator 62 to be pivotally, movably, or rotatably connected to thelid 14. For example, as best seen in FIGS. 3-6, the upper portion 24 ofthe lid 14 may include a recess 72 at least partially formed or definedby a first sidewall 74, a second sidewall 76 and a lower surface 78. Asshown in the accompanying figures, the sidewalls 74, 76 may be disposedgenerally perpendicular to the lower surface 78 and may be generallyvertically disposed. The first sidewall 72 may include a first groove orchannel 80 with a first receiving portion 82 and the second sidewall 76may include a second groove or channel 84 with a second receivingportion 86. The first and second receiving portions 82, 86, which may beopenings, apertures, depressions, indentations, detents and the like,may be sized and configured to receive the engaging portions, such asthe protrusions 122, 124, of the activator 62 and this may allow theactivator to be pivotally connected to the lid 12.

The cover 64 may also be pivotally, movably, or rotatably connected tothe lid 14. For example, the cover 64 may be pivotally connected to areceiving portion 88 in the first sidewall 74 of the recess 72 and areceiving portion 90 in the second sidewall 76 of the recess. Inparticular, the receiving portions 88, 90 may be sized and configured toreceive corresponding engaging portions 92, 94, such as projections,pins or protrusions. The distance between the receiving portions 88, 90may be smaller than the distance between the receiving portions 82, 86.For example, a portion of the sidewalls 74, 76 may extend inwardly andthat may decrease the distance between the receiving portions 88, 90 incomparison to the distance between the receiving portions 82, 86. Inaddition, one or more guides 96 may be used to facilitate alignment andpositioning of the closure 60. For instance, one or more guides 96 maybe disposed in the lower surface 78 of the recess 72. The guides 96 mayhelp align and/or position the cover 64 of the closure 60. It will beappreciated after reviewing this disclosure that the guides 96 may bedisposed in other appropriate locations and the guides are not required.

The activator 62 may include a handle 98 and the handle may have aloop-shaped configuration, such as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, which may aidin carrying the lid system 10 and/or attaching the system to otherobjects. For example, the handle 98 may be attached to a clip or othersuitable type of fastener. Advantageously, the clip may be attached to abackpack or another type of device for ease of transportation. Inaddition, the handle 98 may be positioned such that when the lid system10 is held by the handle, a closing force may be applied to the closure60. Significantly, this closing force may help maintain the closure 60in a closed position and may help maintain a fluid-tight seal. Further,if the lid system 10 is held by the handle 98 and the closure 60 is inthe open position, a closing force that tends to close the closure maybe applied.

After reviewing this disclosure, it will be understood that the closure60 may have other suitable shapes, sizes, configurations andarrangements. For example, another exemplary embodiment of the closure60 is shown in FIGS. 19-27, which is described in greater detail below.It will be understood that the closure 60 may have any suitable numberof parts, components, features and aspects, such as those shown in FIGS.1-2 and/or 19-29.

FIGS. 11-18 illustrate another exemplary embodiment of a lid system 100.The lid system 100 may have one or more aspects, features, parts, and/orcomponents as the lid system 10 previously described or in the lidsystem 110 described below. In addition, the lid system 100 may havesimilar shapes, sizes, configurations and arrangements as the lidsystems 10 or 110. The lid system 100, however, may include additionalor fewer parts, components, features and aspects than shown inconnection with the lid systems 10 or 110. For example, the lid system100 may not include a closure.

The lid system 100 illustrates that the container 12 and the lid 14 mayhave different shapes, sizes, configurations and arrangements. Forexample, the container 12 may have a more cylindrical configuration andone or more gripping surfaces 102. The gripping surfaces 102 may berecessed, generally planar, textured, and the like to facilitategripping of the container 12.

The lid 14 may also include a generally planar upper surface 24 and thespout 28 may extend upwardly from the upper surface. In this exemplaryconfiguration, the first opening 30 may have a generally circularconfiguration and the second opening 32 may jut or extend forwardlyrelative to the first opening. Additionally, the front portion 42 of thefirst opening 30 may be generally aligned and disposed in the same planeas the front portion 46 and the rear portion 48 of the second opening32. The straw 56 may be connected to an opening, such as the secondopening 32. As best seen in FIGS. 15-18, the straw 56 may be connectedto an engaging portion 104. For example, the straw 56 may have agenerally circular configuration and the end of the straw 56 may bedeformed so that it has a shape corresponding to that of the engagingportion 104. As seen in FIG. 18, the engaging portion 104 may bedisposed inside the end of the straw 56. It will be understood that thestraw 56 and engaging portion 104 could also have other suitable shapesand sizes. For instance, the straw 56 and engaging portion 104 couldhave complementary shapes such as circular, oval, rectangular, square,polygonal or the like. The straw 56 could also be inserted into theengaging portion 104 and the straw may be permanently or selectivelyattached to the engaging portion. In addition, the straw 56 and engagingportion 104 could be coupled together using other structures such asfasteners, coupling members, etc. The connection of the straw 56 to theengaging portion 104 may create a seal, which may facilitate drinkingthrough the straw.

Another exemplary embodiment of a lid system 110 is shown in FIGS.19-27. The lid system 110 may have one or more aspects, features, parts,and/or components as the lid systems 10 or 100 described above. The lidsystem 110 may also have similar shapes, sizes, configurations andarrangements as the lid systems 10 or 100.

The lid system 110 may include a container 12 with one or more grippingsurfaces 102. A user with arthritic hands may find it easier to place athumb on a first gripping surface 102 and fingers on a second grippingsurface to grasp the container 12.

The lid system 110 may also include a lid 14 with an upper portion 24, asidewall 26 and a spout 28. The spout 28 may include a single opening112 instead of the dual openings shown in other exemplary embodiments.It will be understood that the lid 12 may include any suitable number ofopenings and the openings may or may not be used in connection with thespout 28. A closure 60 may provide controlled access to the contents ofthe container 12. The closure 60 preferably creates a watertight orairtight seal with the spout 28 and/or the opening 112 to prevent thecontents from leaking or spilling.

In greater detail, as best seen in FIGS. 24A and 24B, the closure 60 mayinclude an activator 62 with a body 68 and a lever 114. The lever 114may extend outwardly from the body 68 and may facilitate movement of theactivator 62. The lever 114 may also form at least a portion of ahandle, such as a handle 98. The lever 114 may include one or morecurved surfaces, such as a depression or recess 116, which may be sizedand configured to allow a user to apply a force to the activator 62. Forexample, as shown in FIG. 19, the lever 114 may include a recess 116 andthe recess may facilitate applying a force to the activator 62. Inparticular, a force applied to the lever 114 and/or the recess 116 maytend to open the closure 60.

The activator 62 may be pivotally connected to the lid 14. For example,as shown in FIGS. 24A and 24B, the activator 62 may include a pair offlanges 118, 120 and each flange may include an engaging portion 122,124, such as a protrusion or projection, and the engaging portions mayallow the activator to be pivotally, rotatably, or movably attached tothe lid 14. In particular, the activator 62 may be pivotally attached tothe lid 14 by coupling the engaging portions 122, 124 with the first andsecond receiving portions 82, 86 in the first and second sidewalls 74,76, respectively. The engaging portions 122, 124 and the receivingportions 82, 86 may create a pivot point and the activator 62 may pivotabout an axis of rotation that is generally aligned with the pivotpoint. The activator 62 may also include one or more receiving portions126, 128, such as first and second openings or apertures, and thereceiving portions may be formed in the flanges 118, 120.

The closure 60 may also include a cover 64 and, as discussed above, thecover may be pivotally attached to the lid 14 by coupling the engagingportions and the receiving portions 88, 90 in the sidewalls 74, 76 ofthe recess 72. In greater detail, as best seen in FIGS. 26A-26C, thecover 64 may include a body 130 and a lip 132. The lip 132 may bedisposed about a portion of the perimeter of the body 130 and the lipmay be sized and configured to be disposed around the spout 28 and/orthe opening 112. The cover 64 may also include flanges 134, 136, whichmay extend outwardly from the body 130 and the flanges may be part ofand/or aligned with the lip 132. The engaging portion 92 may extendoutwardly from the flange 134 and the engaging portion 94 may extendoutwardly from the flange 136. The engaging portions 92, 94 may becoupled to the receiving portions 88, 90 to pivotally attach the cover64 to the lid 14. The receiving portions 88, 90 and the engagingportions 92, 94 may create a pivot point and the cover 64 may pivotabout an axis of rotation that is generally aligned with the pivotpoint. The cover 64 may also include one or more engaging portions, suchas inwardly extending projections or projections 142, 144.

The cover 64 may include additional features, which may help create aseal with the spout 28 and/or opening 112. For example, the cover 64 mayinclude a downwardly extending lip 146 or flange and the lip may besized and configured to be disposed at least partially within the spout28 and/or the opening 112 when the cover is closed. A gasket 148 may beused with the lip 146 to help create a fluid-tight seal. An exemplarygasket 148 is shown in FIGS. 27A and 27B and the gasket may include areceiving portion 150 that is sized and configured to receive at least aportion of the lip 146 and an engaging portion 152 that may be sized andconfigured to engage the spout 28 and/or the opening 112 when the cover64 is in the closed position.

In this exemplary embodiment, the activator 62 and the cover 64 may bothbe pivotally connected to the lid 14 in fixed positions. In addition,the activator 62 may rotate about a first axis of rotation and the cover64 may rotate about a second axis of rotation. The distance between thefirst and second axes of rotations may be fixed or a constant distance.

A connecting member 154 may connect the activator 62 and the cover 64and the connecting member may be changeable or variable in length. Forinstance, the connecting member 154 may include a body 156 and a biasingportion 158. The biasing portion 158 may be flexible, bendable,compressible, and/or expandable portion. The biasing portion 158 mayallow the distance between the ends of the connecting member 154 tochange. The biasing portion 158 may also bias the connecting member 154into one or more desired configurations. The biasing portion 158 mayalso be a spring or have spring-like qualities or aspects. As shown inthe accompanying figures, the connecting member 154 may be constructedfrom an elastic, bendable, malleable, flexible and/or resilientmaterial, such as plastic, and the biasing portion 158 may have agenerally V-shaped configuration. When a force is applied in onedirection to the connecting member 154, such as along a length of theconnecting member, the biasing portion 158 may allow the overall lengthof the connecting member to be increased. When the force is removed or aforce in an opposing direction is applied, the biasing portion 158 mayallow the overall length of the connecting portion 154 to be decreased.The biasing portion 158 may resiliently deform to allow the length ofthe connecting member 154 to increase or decrease, and the biasingportion may be sized and configured to bias the connecting member into aparticular length or configuration.

The connecting member 154 may include a first end 160 that may beconnected to the activator 62. For example, the first end 160 caninclude engaging portions 162, 164, such as protrusions, that are sizedand configured to be disposed in the receiving portions 126, 128 of theactivator 62. The receiving portions 126, 128 and the engaging portions162, 164 may allow the connecting member 154 to be pivotally connectedto the activator 62. This pivotal connection may provide a pivot pointand the connecting member 154 may rotate about an axis of rotationrelative to the activator 62. The connecting member 154 may also includea second end 166 that is connected to the cover 64. The second end 166may include receiving portions 168, 170, such as openings or apertures,which are sized and configured to receive the engaging portions 142, 144of the cover 64, which may allow the connecting member 154 to bepivotally connected to the cover. This pivotal connection may provide apivot point and the connecting member 154 may rotate about an axis ofrotation relative to the cover 64. The connecting member 154 can alsoinclude a cutout or notch 172 if desired. The notch 172 may facilitateassembly by allowing the second end 166 of the connecting member 154 tobe squeezed together so that the engaging portions 142, 144 can beinserted into the receiving portions 168, 170.

Because the length of the connecting member 154 may change, that mayaccount for different distances between the connection of the connectingmember to the activator 62 and the cover 64. In addition, the connectingmember 154 may have sufficient stiffness and rigidity that when anopening force is applied to the activator 62 and the activator is movedfrom a closed position to an open position, the connecting member maycause the cover 64 to rotate and expose the end of the spout 28 and/orone or more openings (such as openings 30, 32 or 112). The connectingmember 154 may also cause the cover 64 to close when the activator 62 isbeing closed.

In greater detail, when the activator 62 is moved, the connecting member154 and the cover 64 may also move. For example, a force may cause theactivator 64 to rotate about the pivotal connection of the activator andthe lid 14, and the movement of the activator may apply a force to theconnecting member 154. In particular, a force moving the activator 62from a closed position to an open position may cause the connectingmember 154 to move away from the spout 28 and/or the openings 30, 32,112, and the connecting member may apply a force to the cover 64 thatcauses the cover to rotate from a closed position to an open position.On the other hand, a force moving the activator 62 from an open to aclosed position may cause the connecting member 154 to move towards thespout 28 and/or the openings 30, 32, 112, and the connecting member mayapply a force to the cover 64 that causes the cover to rotate from anopen position to a closed position.

The closure 60 may include four pivot points. For example, a first pivotpoint may be located where the activator 62 is connected to the lid 14,a second pivot point may be located where the cover 64 is connected tothe lid, a third pivot point may be located where the connecting member154 is connected to the activator, and a fourth pivot point may belocated when the cover is connected to the activator. The closure 60 mayalso rotate about four different axes of rotation when the closure isbeing moved. For example, the activator 62 may rotate about a first axisof rotation relative to the lid 14, the cover 64 may rotate about asecond axis of rotation relative to the lid, the connecting member 154may rotate about a third axis of rotation relative to the activator, andthe connecting member may rotate about a fourth axis of rotationrelative to the cover. Therefore, the closure 60 may include four pivotpoints and/or four axes of rotation.

The first and second pivot points or axes of rotation may be disposed infixed locations and the third and fourth pivot points or axes ofrotation may move relative to the lid 14 when the closure 60 is beingmoved. The third and fourth pivot points or axes of rotation may movealong a path, such as an arc or curve, when the closure 60 is movedbetween the opened and closed positions. Therefore, the first and secondpivot points or axes of rotation may be disposed in fixed locationsrelative to the lid 14 and separated by a fixed distance, and the thirdand fourth pivot points or axes of rotation may not be disposed in fixedpositions relative to the lid or separated by a generally constantdistance. For example, the distance between the third and fourth pivotpoints or axes of rotations may increase or decrease as the closure 60is opened or closed.

The closure 60 may be an over center latching mechanism. In particular,the activator 62, the cover 64 and the connecting member 154 may form anover center latching mechanism that maintains the cover 64 in the closedposition and requires a significant amount of force to open the cover.For example, the connecting member 154 may provide a force thatmaintains the cover 64 in the closed position and a force applied to theactivator 62 may be used to overcome the closing force. Advantageously,because the activator 62 may act as a lever, the activator may be usedto overcome a much larger closing force. A maximum amount of force maybe required when the distance between the connection of the connectingmember 154 to the activator 64 and the connection of the connectingmember to the cover 64 is at a minimum, which may be referred to as thecenter point of the latching mechanism. Once the activator 62 is movedor rotated past the center point, the closure 60 may be more easilyopened. When the activator 62 is moved from the open position to aclosed position, sufficient force must be applied to allow the activatorto move or rotate past the center point. Significantly, the over centerlatching mechanism may cause the cover 64 to snap or lock in position,and that may securely maintain the cover in the closed position.

In some embodiments, a mixing device 180, such as a BLENDER BALL® (whichis a registered trademark of BlenderBottle Co.), may be used to mixcontents of the container 12. For example, the mixing device 180 may beused to mix one or more liquids. The mixing device 180 may also be usedto mix liquids and solids such as supplements, vitamins, proteinpowders, and/or other types of materials. Further, the lid systems 10,100 and/or 110 may be a shaker cup and the contents can be stirred ormixed as desired. This may allow protein drinks, shakes, smoothies,sauces, etc. to be created within the container 12.

One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate after reviewing thisdisclosure that the systems 10, 100, 110, container 12, the lid 14, andthe various parts and components may have other suitable shapes, sizes,configurations and arrangements, such as shown in U.S. Pat. No.8,695,830, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

In operation, a force may be applied to the activator 62 to open theclosure 60. This may allow fluids to be poured through an opening, suchas the opening 112. If the lid 14 includes two openings, such as theopenings 30, 32, then a user can pour fluids out of the container 12through one opening and sip or suck fluids from the second opening. Whenit is desired to close the closure 60, a force may be applied to theactivator 62 and this may cause the cover 64 to seal the one or moreopenings, such as the openings 30, 32, 112. Advantageously, the systems10, 100, 110 may be easily and conveniently used, straightforward tooperate, and may have few parts, which may facilitate manufacturing andassembly of the system.

Although this invention has been described in terms of certain preferredembodiments, other embodiments apparent to those of ordinary skill inthe art are also within the scope of this invention. Accordingly, thescope of the invention is intended to be defined only by the claimswhich follow.

1-20. (canceled)
 21. An apparatus sized and configured to be attached toa container, the apparatus comprising: a body including an upper portionand a lower portion, the lower portion configured to attach theapparatus to the container, the upper portion comprising a spout; afirst opening disposed within the spout, the first opening configured toprovide access through the body to a common reservoir of the container,and a second opening disposed within the spout, the second openingconfigured to provide access through the body to the common reservoir ofthe container, wherein: the spout includes an outer wall and an innercommon wall; the outer wall of the spout bounds the first opening andthe second opening; the inner common wall separates the first openingfrom the second opening; the inner common wall has a first end and asecond end opposite the first end, each of the first end and the secondend of the inner common wall joining the outer wall; the inner commonwall has a first surface that faces the first opening and a secondsurface that faces the second opening; and on the first surface of theinner common wall in the first opening, the first end and the second endof the inner common wall each has a transition from the inner commonwall to the outer wall that is a mathematically smooth function in itsentirety from the inner common wall to the outer wall.
 22. The apparatusof claim 21, wherein on the second surface of the inner common wall inthe second opening, the first end and the second end of the inner commonwall each has a transition from the inner common wall to the outer wallthat is a mathematically smooth function in its entirety from the innercommon wall to the outer wall.
 23. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein afront-to-back thickness of a top of the inner common wall is greater atopposing lateral ends of the second opening than at a center of theinner common wall that is located laterally midway between the opposinglateral ends.
 24. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein a front-to-backthickness of each of the first end and the second end of the innercommon wall of the spout increases moving laterally outward toward theouter wall of the spout.
 25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein thefront-to-back thickness of each of the first end and the second end ofthe inner common wall of the spout continuously increases movinglaterally outward toward the outer wall of the spout.
 26. The apparatusof claim 21, wherein the first opening has a concave inward curvaturebetween any two points on at least one perimeter curve that bounds thefirst opening.
 27. A lid and container system, comprising: a containercomprising a common reservoir; and a lid configured to be attached tothe container, the lid comprising: an outer wall; an inner common wall;a first opening that is at least partially defined by the outer wall andthe inner common wall, the first opening configured to provide a firstfluid pathway through the lid to the common reservoir of the container;a second opening that is at least partially defined by the outer walland the inner common wall, the second opening configured to provide asecond fluid pathway through the lid to the common reservoir of thecontainer; a first wall junction formed where a first end of the innercommon wall meets the outer wall; and a second wall junction formedwhere a second end of the inner common wall that is opposite the firstend meets the outer wall, wherein: each of the first wall junction andthe second wall junction comprises an inner extension that iscontinuously formed with the first or second end of the inner commonwall, a first outer extension that is continuously formed with a firstportion of the outer wall that partially defines the first opening, anda second outer extension that is continuously formed with a secondportion of the outer wall that partially defines the second opening; anda front-to-back thickness of a top of each inner extension continuouslyincreases moving from the first or second end of the inner common walltoward the outer wall.
 28. The lid and container system of claim 27,wherein: each of the first wall junction and the second wall junctionincludes: a first surface between the corresponding inner extension andthe corresponding first outer extension that faces and partially definesthe first opening, the first surface having a first radius of curvature;and a second surface between the corresponding inner extension and thecorresponding second outer extension that faces and partially definesthe second opening, the second surface having a second radius ofcurvature; and the first radius of curvature of the first surface isgreater than a second radius of curvature of the second surface.
 29. Thelid and container system of claim 27, wherein: a distance along a top ofa portion of the outer wall that partially defines the second openingbetween the second extension of the first wall junction and the secondextension of the second wall junction is a first distance; a length ofeach of the first and second wall junctions along a top of the first orsecond wall junction from the first outer extension to the second outerextension of the corresponding first or second wall junction is at leastone third of the first distance.
 30. The lid and container system ofclaim 27, wherein at least one of: a front-to-back thickness of a top ofeach of the first and second wall junction immediately laterallyadjacent to the second opening is at least twice a front-to-backthickness of a top of the inner common wall at a middle of the secondopening or a front-to-back thickness of a top of the outer wall at themiddle of the second opening, or a radial thickness of the top of eachof the first and second wall junction immediately circumferentiallyadjacent to the second opening is at least twice the front-to-backthickness of the top of the inner common wall at the middle of thesecond opening or the front-to-back thickness of the top of the outerwall at the middle of the second opening.
 31. The lid and containersystem of claim 27, wherein at least one of: a radial thickness of thefirst outer extension continuously increases moving toward the secondouter extension; or a radial thickness of the second outer extensioncontinuously increases moving toward the first outer extension.
 32. Thelid and container system of claim 27, wherein: each of the first andsecond wall junctions includes a surface that faces and partiallydefines the first opening, the surface extending from the innerextension to the first outer extension; and a curve on the surface thatextends along a top of the first or second junction between any twopoints along the top of the first or second junction has a concaveinward curvature with respect to the first opening.
 33. The lid andcontainer system of claim 27, wherein at least one of: a top of thefirst opening has a variable height around a perimeter of the firstopening; or a top of the second opening has a variable height around aperimeter of the second opening.
 34. A lid having a front and a back,the front of the lid configured to be closer to a user than the backwhen a user drinks through the lid, the lid sized and configured to beattached to a container, the lid comprising: a spout comprising an outerwall and an inner common wall; a first opening at least partiallydefined by the outer wall and the inner common wall, the first openingproviding a first fluid pathway through the lid; and a second opening atleast partially defined by the outer wall and the inner common wall, thesecond opening providing a second fluid pathway through the lid,wherein: a bottom of the lid defines a first reference plane; a secondreference plane parallel to the first reference plane passes through theouter wall and the inner common wall; a first surface of the innercommon wall faces and partially defines the first opening; a secondsurface of the outer wall faces and partially defines the first opening;the first opening has, in a front-to-rear direction, a front portion anda rear portion, the front portion nearer to the front of the lid thanthe rear portion; the front portion of the first opening includes, in aside-to-side direction that is orthogonal to the front-to-reardirection, a first side portion and a second side portion on an oppositeside of the first opening from the first side portion; for every pair ofa first reference tangent point and a second reference tangent pointeach in the first side portion or each in the second side portion: thefirst reference tangent point is located on the first surface of theinner common wall and in the second reference plane; the secondreference tangent point is located on the second surface of the outerwall and in the second reference plane; a first reference tangent linelies in the second reference plane and is tangent to the first surfaceof the inner common wall at the first reference tangent point; a secondreference tangent line lies in the second reference plane and is tangentto the second surface of the outer wall at the second reference tangentpoint; and the first reference tangent line intersects the secondreference tangent line at an obtuse angle.
 35. The lid of claim 34,wherein the first opening has a maximum width laterally at a top of thefirst opening and wherein a third reference plane separates the frontportion of the first opening from the rear portion of the first opening,the third reference plane aligned to the maximum width and orthogonal tothe first and second reference planes.
 36. The lid of claim 35, whereinthe front portion of the first opening comprises a front half of thefirst opening and wherein the rear portion of the first openingcomprises a rear half of the first opening.
 37. The lid of claim 34,wherein the first opening is circular.
 38. The lid of claim 34, whereina front-to-back thickness of each of two opposite end portions of a topof the inner common wall continuously increases moving laterally outwardtoward the outer wall.
 39. The lid of claim 34, wherein a portion of theinner common wall increases in thickness from top to bottom of theportion of the inner common wall.
 40. The lid of claim 34, wherein thefirst opening has a concave inward curvature between any two points onat least one perimeter curve that bounds the first opening.